Dispensing container and charging valve therefor



June 24, 1969 H. D. BARTELS 3,451,592

DISPENSING CONTAINER AND CHARGING VALVE THEREFOR Filed May 5, 1966 v Sheet of 2 I6 47 3O mvmox 3| 24 HERBERT D. BARTELS ATTORNEKS June 24, 1969 H? BARTELS 3,451,592

DISPENSING CONTAINER AND CHARGING VALVE THEREFOR Filed May 5. 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR HERBERT D. BARTELS ATTORNEYS United States Patent O US. Cl. 22295 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a novel dispensing container of the aerosol type, and is particularly directed to novel charging valve mechanisms for introducing a pressurized propellant into a propellant chamber of the container and preventing the escape of the propellant during the usable life of the container.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container of the type including a product chamber and a propellant chamber, a wall common to both the chambers, means for controllably dispensing a product from the product chamber, means for introducing propellant into the propellant chamber and preventing the escape of propellant therefrom, the last-mentioned means including aperture means in a lower closure of the container and valve means movable between first and second positions respectively closing and opening the apertuer means, and the valve means having at least one dimension which is sufiiciently great enough to prevent misalignment between the aperture means and the valve means whereby sealing of the aperture means by the valve means is assured upon the termination of a propellant charging operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing closure of the type immediately above described wherein means are provided for imparting a tilting movement to the valve means between closed and opened positions thereof under the influence of propellant being introduced into the propellant chamber through the aperture means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container of the type just described in which the valve means is a disc-like member having a predetermined diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of a body of the dispensing container.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container as set forth heretofore in "which the tilting means is a portion of the common wall or of the valve means or of the container body.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel dispensing container of the type described heretofore including means for maintaining the valve means in spaced relationship to the common wall and the lower closure during the introduction of propellant into the propellant chamber through the aperture means.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a bottom perspective view partially in phantom outline of a portion of a dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention prior to the assembly thereof, and illustrates a container body, a lower closure and a valve member thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view with parts broken away for clarity of the dispensing container of FIGURE 1 after having been assembled, and illustrates a means on the container body associated with the valve for controlling the tilting movement of the latter upon the introduction of propellant through an aperture of the lower closure.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken away for clarity of a lower portion of the dispensing container of FIGURE 2, and illustrates the operation of the valve means upon the introduction of propellant into a propellant chamber of the dispenser through the aperture means.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken away for clarity of the dispensing container, and illustrates the valve in sealing contact with a valve seat at the completion of a charging operation.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom perspective view of another valve or valve structure constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a compressible gasket secured to a disc-like member provided with a radial securing tab.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a dispensing container similar to that shown in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings, and illustrates the securing tab clamped by a double seam of the container maintaining the valve in position prior to a charging operation.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view with parts broken away for clarity of a dispensing container body and a collapsible product compartment, and illustrates a downwardly directed projection carried by a bottom wall of the product compartment.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the dispensing container of FIGURE 7 after a lower closure has been secured thereto, and illustrates the operation of the projection during a charging operation.

FIGURE 9 is a bottom perspective view of another valve of this invention and illustrates an upwardly directed tab for effecting tilting movement of the valve during a charging operation.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken away for clarity of a dispensing container in which the valve of FIGURE 9 is housed, and illustrates the cooperation between the tab and the collapsible compartment during a charging operation.

FIGURE 11 is a bottom perspective view of a dispensing container body and another valve prior to the assembly thereof, and illustrates a generally undulating configuration of a peripheral edge of the valve.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken through a lower portion of the container of FIGURE 11 after a lower closure has been secured thereto, and illustrates the operation of the valve as propellant is introduced into a propellant chamber through an aperture of the lower closure.

FIGURE 13 is a bottom perspective view of another valve constructed in accordance with this invention, and illustrates a disc-like member provided with a plurality of apertures and a centrally located gasket.

FIGURE 14 is a bottom perspective view of another valve of this invention, and illustrates a generally serrated peripheral edge portion of a disc-like member and a circular gasket secured centrally thereof.

A novel dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention is fully illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 15. The dispensing container 15 includes a container body 16 having a lower closure or wall 17 and an upper dome-shaped closure or wall 18. The closures 17, 18 are secured to the container body 16 by conventional seams 20, 21, respectively. A product chamber 22 in the form of a beaded, collapsible bag-like structure is housed in the container body 16 and contains a dispensable product (not shown). The product chamber 22 includes a lower end portion 23 closed by an integral bottom panel or wall 24 and an open upper end portion (not shown) which is secured in a conventional manner to an upper end portion (unnumbered) of the container body 16. The upper end portion of the product chamber 22 may be, for example, folded over an annular lip 25 of the upper closure 18. After the dispensable product is inserted into the product chamber 22 through the open upper end portion thereof, a suitable manually operable valve mechanism (not shown) is secured to the closure 18. The valve mechanism may be of the conventional push-button type which is pushed or depressed to dispense the product within the chamber 22 and released to terminate the dispensing operation in a manner well known in the art.

The lower closure 17 includes an end panel or wall 26 which is generally dome-shaped in configuration and includes a generally annular valve seat 27 and an axial aperture or aperture means 28. The aperture means 28 function to permit propellant (not shown) to be introduced into a propellant chamber 30 of the dispensing container 15 in a manner to be described more fully hereafter.

A valve mechanism or valve means 31 is housed within the propellant chamber 30 between the bottom panel 24 of the product chamber 22 and the lower closure 17. The valve mechanism 31 is of a two-piece construction and includes a relatively thin circular disc 32 and a generally circular gasket 33. The disc 32 has a diameter which is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the body 16, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. The disc 32 is constructed from relatively inexpensive sheet material, such as inexpensive paperstock material, plastic, metal foil or any other material which is inexpensive and will reasonably retain a flat or planar configuration. The gasket 33 is preferably constructed from any type of flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, and is adhesively secured to an undersurface (unnumbered) of the disc 32 by adhesive (not shown). While the valve mechanism 31 is of a two-piece construction, it is to be understood that the same may be formed from an integral piece of material as, for example, suitably molded rubber.

In practice, the valve mechanism 31 is placed in the bottom end of the container body 16 after the product compartment 22 has been assembled to the container. The valve mechanism 31 is thereafter preferably placed into the container body 16 after the latter has been inverted relative to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. Thereafter, the lower closure 17 is doubleseamed in place and the dispensing container 15 is repositioned to the upright position illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. In this position, the gasket 33 of the valve mechanism 31 rests lightly upon the valve seat 27 of the lower closure 17. The container may then be filled with a dispensable produce through the opening of the closure 18, and capped with the valve actuated dispensing mechanism (not shown).

The propellant chamber 30 is charged with suitable conventional propellant by seating the end panel 26 of the lower closure 17 upon a filling head 35 of a conventional filling apparatus. The filling head 35 includes a conduit 36 in fluid communication with a source of pressurized propellant (not shown) and a gasket 37 which forms a seal with the end panel 26. A valve (not shown) in the conduit 36 is opened and the propellant acting against the gasket 33 urges the valve mechanism 31 to an unseated position (FIGURE 3) at which time the propellant freely passes into the propellant chamber 30 through an annular gap between the container body 16 and the terminal edge of the disc 32 as is clearly indicated by the unnumbered headed arrows in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Upon the termination of the charging operation the propellant within the propellant chamber 30 acting upon the upper surface (unnumbered) of the valve mechanism 31 urges the gasket 33 into sealing contact with the valve seat 27 of the lower closure 17, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawings. Inasmuch as the diameter of the valve mechanism 31 is generally equal to the internal diameter of the container body 16, the gasket 33 is accurately located in overlying relationship to the aperture 28. Furthermore, complete flipping or turning of the valve mechanism 31 to an upright position is precluded by the close proximity of the panels 24, 26 and the large diameter of the valve mechanism 31.

It is also desirable to prevent the valve mechanism 31 from being bodily displaced an appreciable amount and to this end means 38 in the form of an inwardly directed dimple is provided in the container body 16 adjacent the double seam 20. The dimple 38 normally overlies the peripheral edge (unnumbered) of the valve mechanisms 31 in the manner best illustrated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings. During the introduction of the propellant into the propellant chamber 30 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3, the dimple 38 serves as a fulcrum for the valve mechanism 31 which tilts or pivots during the charging operation, as is graphically illustrated in FIG- URE 3 of the drawings. This pivoting action of the valve mechanism 31 prevents the latter from being urged into intimate contact with the bottom surface of the bottom wall 24 thereby assuring rapid closure of the aperture 28 upon the termination of the propellant charging operation.

Another novel dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention is partially illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 40. The dispensing container 40 is substantially identical to the dispensing container 15 and includes a container body 41 having a lower closure or wall 42 and an upper dome-shaped closure (not shown), A product chamber 43 in the form of a beaded, collapsible bag-like structure is housed in the container body 41 and contains a dispensable product (not shown). The product chamber 43 includes a lower end portion (unnumbered) closed by an integral bottom panel or wall 44, and an upper end portion (not shown) which is secured in a conventional manner to the dome-shaped closure. After a dispensable product is inserted into the product chamber 43, the upper end portion (unnumbered) of the container body 41 is closed with a conventional manually operable valve mechanism (not shown) of the type heretofore described.

The lower closure 42 of the dispensing container 40 includes an end panel or wall 45 which is generally domeshaped in configuration and includes a generally annular valve seat 46 and an axial aperture 47. The aperture 47 functions to permit propellant to be introduced into a propellant chamber 48 of the dispensing container in the manner heretofore described relative to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings.

A valve mechanism or valve means 51 is housed within the propellant chamber 48 between the bottom panel 44 of the product chamber 43 and the panel 45 of the lower closure 42. The valve mechanism 51 is of a twopiece construction and includes a relatively thin, generally circular disc 52 having a radially directed tab 53. A generally square gasket 54 is adhesively secured to a center portion of the disc 52, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. The disc 52 is preferably constructed from relatively inexpensive sheet material, such as inexpensive paperstock material, plastic, metal foil or any other material which is inexpensive and will reasonably retain a fiat or planar configuration and which is also somewhat flexible or resilient. The gasket 54 is preferably constructed from any type of flexible material, suoh as plastic, rubber or similar sealing material.

In assembling the valve mechanism 51 to the container body 41, the tab 53 is bent at an angle of approximately degrees to the disc 52 and is caught and rerained between portions of the closure 42 and the contamer body 41 during the formation of a double seam 55, the manner best illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. The tab 53 thereby serves to retain the valve mechanism 51 in the normal position thereof with the gasket 54 overlying the aperture 47. During a charging operation propellant introduced through the aperture 47 causes the valve mechanism 51 to tilt with the tab 53 acting as a fulcrum. Upon the termination of the charging operation, the valve mechanism 51 is tilted or pivoted by the force of the propellant to a position corresponding to the position of the valve mechanism 31 shown in FIG- URE 4 of the drawings at which time the gasket 54 forcefully engages the valve seat 46 and prevents escape of the propellant within the propellant chamber 48.

Another novel dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention is shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 of the drawings, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 56. The dispensing container 56 includes a container body 57 having a lower closure or wall 58 and an upper dome-shaped closure (not shown) corresponding to the closure 18 of the dispensing container 15 (FIGURE 2). The closure 58 is secured to the container body 57 by means of a conventional double seam 60. A product chamber 62 in the form of a beaded, col lapsible bag-like structure is housed in the container body 57 and contains a dispensable product (not shown). The product chamber 62 includes a lower end portion 63 closed by an integral bottom panel or wall 64 having an outermost periphery from which axially depends a projection or boss 65. A suitable manually operable valve mechanism (not shown) is secured to the upper closure (not shown) and is operative to dispense the product within the chamber 62 in a manner well known in the art.

The lower closure 58 includes an end panel or wall 66 which is generally dome-shaped in configuration and includes a generally annular valve seat 67, and an axial aperture 68. The aperture 68 functions to permit propellant (not shown) to be introduced into a propellant chamber 70 of the dispensing container 56 in the manner heretofore described in the consideration of the dispensing containers 15 and 40.

A valve mechanism or valve means 71 is housed within the propellant chamber 70 between the bottom panel 64 of the product chamber 62 and the lower closure 58. The valve mechanism 71 is identical in structure and function to the valve mechanism 31 and a further description of the mechanism 71 is believed unnecessary for a complete understanding of this invention. However, it is to be noted that the valve mechanism 71 is prevented from intimately contacting the bottom wall 64 of the product chamber 62 during a charging operation by the tilting of the valve mechanism 71 under the influence of the entering propellant with the boss or projection 65 serving as a fulcrum.

Another novel dispensing container constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIGURE of the drawings, and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 73. The dispensing container 73 includes a container body 74 and a lower closure 75 se cured to the body 74 by a conventional double seam 76. A product chamber 77 having a bottom wall or panel 78 is housed within the container body 74 in the manner heretofore described with respect to the dispensing container 15, and also includes a manually operable dispensing valve (not shown) of a conventional construction.

The closure 75 includes an end wall or panel 80 of a dome-shaped configuration having an axial annular valve seat 81 and an aperture 82 through which propellant is introduced into a chamber 83 of the dispensing container 73.

A valve mechanism or valve means 85 (FIGURE 9) is housed within the propellant chamber 83 between the bottom panel 78 of the product chamber 77 and the lower closure 75. The valve mechanism 85 is of a twopiece construction and includes a relatively thin, circular disc 86 from which is struck and forms an axially upwardly projecting tab 87. A circular gasket 88 is adhesively secured to a central portion of the circular disc 86, as is best illustrated in FIGURE 9 of the drawings.

In the housed position of the valve mechanism 85, the gasket '88 normally overlies the aperture 82 and seats upon the annular valve seat 81. However, upon the introduction of a propellant through the aperture 82, the tab 87 bears against the lower surface of the product chamber bottom wall 78 (FIGURE 10) and serves as a fulcrum about which the valve mechanism tilts there by preventing the valve mechanism from intimately engaging the bottom wall 78 of the product chamber 77 and assuring rapid reclosure of the aperture 82 by the gasket 8-8 upon the termination of the charging operation.

Another dispensing container formed in accordance with this invention is shown in FIGURE 12 of the drawings and is generally referred to by the reference numeral 90. The dispensing container 90 is identical to the dispensing container 15 with but one exception. As opposed to the dimple 38 of the dispensing body 16, a dispensing body 91 of the dispensing container 90 includes an inwardly directed circumferential bead 92, the function of which will be more apparent hereafter.

A collapsible bag-like product chamber 93 having a bottom wall 94 is conventionally secured within a product chamber 95 of the dispensing container 90.

The lower end of the container body 91 is closed by a bottom closure or wall 96 which includes an annular valve seat 97 and a central aperture 98.

A valve mechanism or valve means 101 is housed within the propellant chamber 95 between the closure 96 and the bead 92 of the dispenser body 91. The valve mechanism 101 is of a two-piece construction (FIGURE 11) and includes a relatively thin circular disc 102 and a generally circular gasket 103 adhesively or otherwise secured to a central portion of the disc 102. A peripheral portion 104 of the mechanism 101 is provided with a plurality of sinusoidal undulations 105 which impart a wave-like appearance to the peripheral portion 104.

During a charging operation, propellant introduced into the aperture 98 acts against the gasket 103 and bodily displaces the valve mechanism 101 upwardly forming an annular gap between the valve seat 97 and the lowermost surface (unnumbered) of the gasket 103. Propellant passes through the gap and between the body 91 and the undulations 105 of the disc 102 and enters the propellant chamber 95 in the manner indicated by the unnumbered headed arrows in FIGURE 12 of the drawings. The undulations 105 thereby define a plurality of radial passages about the entire periphery of the disc 102 for effecting the introduction of propellant from an area beneath the disc 102 to an area above the disc. During the charging operation the peripheral edge (unnumbered) of the valve mechanism 101 contacts the inwardly directed bead 92 and excessive upward bodily displacement of the valve mechanism 101 is thereby precluded. The valve mechanism 101 seals the aperture 98 upon the termination of the charging operation in the manner heretofore fully described.

A valve mechanism 111 (FIGURE 13) which corresponds generally to the valve mechanism 101 includes a generally circular disc 112 and a gasket 113 adhesively secured to a central portion of the disc. The valve mechanism 111 is provided with a plurality of apertures 114 in lieu of the undulations 105 of the valve mechanism 101.

Upon the incorporation of the valve mechanism 111 into a dispensing container of the type illustrated in FIGURE 12 the propellant is introduced into the propellant chamber 95 through the aperture 98 and the openings or apertures 114 in the valve disc 112, as opposed to the passage of the propellant about the periphery of the disc 102.

Another 'valve mechanism, generally referred to by the reference numeral 121, is illustrated in FIGURE 14 of the drawings, and includes a valve disc 122 of a generally circular configuration and a centrally located gasket 123. However, in lieu of the apertures 114 or the undulations 105, a periphery (unnumbered) of the disc 122 is continually serrated to define a plurality of radially directed triangular projections 124 between which are generally triangular slots or openings 125. The valve mechanism 121 operates substantially identically to the valve mechanism 101 except that the propellant is introduced into a propellant chamber of a dispensing container through the slots 125.

While the valve mechanisms 111, 121 have been described with respect to their incorporation in a container of the type illustrated in FIGURE 12, it is to be understood that the valve mechanisms 111, 121 are equally capable of functioning with any one of the dispensing containers 15, 56 and 73.

While the various product chambers have been illustrated in spaced relationship to the associated valve mechanisms prior to a charging operation, it is to be understood that under most conditions the product chambers normally rest upon the valve mechanisms prior to a propellant charging operation. For example, with the chamber 22 of the dispensing container filled with a dispensable product, the bottom wall 24 thereof will normally rest lightly upon the valve mechanism 31 which will cause the gasket 33 to seat against the valve seat 27. However, during the introduction of propellant through the aperture 28, the valve mechanism 31 is not only unseated but the product chamber 22 is urged upwardly to open fluid communication between the aperture 28 and the propellant chamber 30, as illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Containers have been eflectively pressurized in accordance with this invention under conditions of both contact and non-contact between the product chambers and the valve mechanisms, and effective charging and sealing has been accomplished with as much as onehalf inch space between the bottom wall of a product chamber and an associated valve mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel-and advantageous provisions have been made for carrying out the desired end. However, attention is again directed to the fact that additional variations may be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A valve mechanism for introducing a pressurized media into a chamber and preventing the escape of the media therefrom comprising a chamber defined in part by a peripheral wall and first and second opposing wall means, aperture means in said first wall means for introducing a pressurized media into said chamber, valve means disposed non-fixedly and movably bodily in said chamber between said first and second wall means for closing said aperture means to prevent the pressurized media from escaping therefrom through said aperture means after having been introduced into said chamber, and said valve means having at least one dimension which is of a size corresponding generally to a like dimension of the chamber transversely of said chamber thereby preventing the permanent dislocating of said valve means and said aperture means upon the introduction of the media into the chamber.

2. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided for effecting tilting movement of said valve means under the influence of the fluid media during the introduction thereof into said chamber through said aperture means.

3. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided between said wall means and cooperative with said valve means for maintaining said valve means in spaced relationship to each of said first and second wall means during the introduction of the media into said chamber.

4. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided between said wall means and cooperative with said valve means for tilting said valve means during the introduction of the media into said chamber.

5. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said second wall means defines a generally cylindrical body of a predetermined diameter, and said one dimension of said valve means is substantially equal to said predetermined diameter.

6. A dispensing container comprising a container having at axial opposite ends thereof upper and lower walls, means defining a product chamber in said body, means defining a propellant chamber in said body, a wall common to both of said chamber means, means for introducing propellant into said propellant chamber and preventing the escape of propellant therefrom, said lastmentioned means including aperture means in said lower closure and valve means movable between first and second positions respectively closing and opening said aperture means, and means for imparting a tilting movement to said valve means during the movement of said valve means from said first to said second position under the influence of a propellant introduced into said propellant chamber through said aperture means.

7. The dispensing container as defined in claim 6 wherein said tilting means is a portion of said common wall.

8. The dispensing container as defined in claim 6 wherein said tilting means is a portion of Said valve means.

9. The dispensing container as defined in claim 6 wherein said tilting means is a portion of said container body.

10. The dispensing container as defined in claim 6 wherein said valve means is a disc-like member of a diameter generally equal to the diameter of said container body, said valve means includes a gasket portion closing said aperture means in said first position, and a tamperproof seal closing said aperture means externally of said gasket portion.

11. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein means are provided at a side opposite said valve means from said first wall for limiting the movement of said valve means under the influence of the pressurized media during the introduction thereof into said chamber.

12. The valve mechanism as defined in claim 11 where in said last-mentioned means is a circumferential radially inwardly directed bead.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,112,846 12/1963 Hein 14l-3 XR HOUSTON S. BELL, he, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 137223; 14l20 

